Hedi Slimane Is the New Creative Director of Céline

He will also launch men’s, couture, and fragrance for the brand.

Hedi, one of fashion’s most influential and controversial designers, has been named creative, artistic, and image director of Céline.

Slimane is the former creative director of Yves Saint Laurent (he re-dubbed it, simply, Saint Laurent), where his youthful collections were often met with derision from critics but were a hit with shoppers. His aesthetic at Saint Laurent—sexy, grunge-y, Los Angeles-inspired tight rocker clothes (the designer is based in L.A.)—could not be more in contrast to the more adult, feminine but never sweet, tone set by Phoebe Philo, who led the house for 10 years. Her departure was announced at the end of the year.

Slimane officially joins Céline on February 1. Phoebe Philo’s last collection for the brand, fall 2018, will be shown in Paris this coming March.

I am delighted to join Bernard Arnault [chairman and CEO of LVMH] in this all-embracing and fascinating mission for Céline,” Slimane said in a statement. “I greatly look forward to returning to the exciting world of fashion and the dynamism of the ateliers.

Added Arnault, who worked with Slimane when he was leading Dior Homme in the early oughts,

I am particularly happy that Hedi is back within the LVMH Group and taking the reins of our Céline Maison. He is one of the most talented designers of our time. His arrival at Céline reinforces the great ambitions that LVMH has for this Maison. Hedi will oversee and develop all creativity for both women’s and men’s fashion, but also for leather goods, accessories and fragrances. He will leverage his global vision and unique aesthetic virtuosity in further building an iconic French Maison.